Moneyball: Jye Caldwell signs new Essendon deal, clubs chase fringe Pies Reef McInness and Finlay Macrae
Breakout Bomber Jye Caldwell has signed a long-term contract extension. Plus, rival clubs are circling several fringe Collingwood players. FULL DETAILS in Moneyball.
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Essendon has signed promising midfielder Jye Caldwell to a long-term extension to keep the Bomber at the club until the end of 2028.
Caldwell, who has shifted into a permanent midfield role in 2024, was set to be out of contract at the end of this season.
But instead Caldwell signed a four-year extension, having made the move from GWS at the end of 2020.
Caldwell, who played 11 games in two years for the Giants, said it was a “no brainer” to stay at the club.
“I have huge confidence in the playing group, our coaching staff and the whole club in the direction we are heading to bring consistent on field success in the years to come,” he said.
“We will never stop fighting in our quest to bring success to Essendon.
“It was a no brainer for me to stay.”
Caldwell is averaging 22.4 disposals, 6.7 tackles, 4.3 clearances and four marks, and has played every game this season.
Meanwhile, mid-season drafteee Saad El-Hawli has recommitted to Essendon for another 12 months.
The Bombers signed El-Hawli from the Northern Bullants on a six-month contract, but he’s torn it up in the VFL on either side of a four-week ankle injury.
El-Hawli was on the cusp of an AFL debut following a 27-disposal and four goal showing in his second game, but then missed the next nine weeks with an ankle injury.
“Everyone has been so welcoming. I can’t wait to get to work and show the Dons faithful what I can do,” El-Hawli said.
INJURED TIGER RE-SIGNS
Richmond defender Josh Gibcus has added another year to his contract, signing an extension to remain at Punt Rd until the end of 2026.
The talented youngster signed-on until the end of 2025 during his debut season, but has again put pen to paper – tying him to the club for an additional year.
The 21-year-old said he was optimistic about the youth that the club was bringing through and hoped to put together a big 2025 season.
“I’m excited for what the future holds and can’t wait to get back and play after this year,” he said. “We’ve got a very young side with a bit of experience in there, it’ll be good to see how we jell in the future.”
Gibcus said his bad run with injury had made him more resilient and hungry to make a successful return to the side.
“Doing two injuries has made me gain some patience and just knowing my body, what it can and can’t do,” he said.
Gibcus was drafted with the No.9 pick in the 2021 draft and has played 20 games since with significant injuries restricting him from truly showcasing his talent.
After playing 18 games in his first season, he has managed just one full game in the two seasons since due to hamstring and knee injuries.
Richmond general manager Blair Hartley said the club was pleased to extend his contract.
“He is a big part of our future, so we are thrilled to have him commit further to Richmond and are excited to have him back on the field in 2025 and beyond,” he said.
“Josh has been working hard behind the scenes in our rehabilitation program … he will come out the other side an even better player.”
Richmond said Gibcus had built up his strength and “turned the corner” in the past couple of weeks with the club hoping he could back running next week.
RISING SUN ANDREW SET FOR MEGA PAYDAY
Gold Coast is preparing to kickstart off-season negotiations that it hopes will lock after-the-siren goalkicking hero Mac Andrew into the club deep into the decade.
With the Suns’ season a fortnight away from closing, the Herald Sun understands much of their list-management focus heading towards next year will be on securing long-term deals for Andrew and midfield bull Matt Rowell.
Both have deals to run through until the end of 2025 and could expect a significant uptake on their current contract, particularly in Andrew’s case.
The Suns are confident the two young guns will commit to the club given the marginal improvement the club has made this season under coach Damien Hardwick.
If Gold Coast can defeat Melbourne or Richmond in the final two rounds, it would take the club a record 11 wins in a season.
Andrew, pick five in the 2021 draft, could be headed for a long-term contract which fellow members of that intake, Jason Horne-Francis and Nick Daicos have already received.
His contested mark and composure under pressure after the final siren not only sank Essendon at Marvel Stadium last week, it gave further evidence of his capabilities in only his third AFL season.
Andrew has played 39 games since his 2022 debut, but his career-best 2024 season and a growing capacity to make an impact on the game both forward and back has made him one of the most exciting young talents in the game.
Rival clubs will watch these negotiations with the Suns with interest, but Andrew expressed his love of the team in the immediate aftermath of last week’s thrilling win.
He has developed some tight bonds on the Gold Coast, including with his original host family, whom he has moved back in with this year, which will help the Suns’ cause.
Rowell seems certain to stay with the Suns, but always prefers to do his contract discussions out of season to keep his mind on the task at hand.
He is best mates with Noah Anderson, who locked in a four-year extension in January last year, taking him through to the end of 2027.
CLUBS KEEPING TABS ON FRINGE PIES
Rival AFL clubs are keeping an eye on two high-end Collingwood draft selections – Finlay Macrae and Reef McInnes – who have endured frustrating 2024 seasons.
The pair were a part of the Magpies’ draft 2020 draft haul following a trade period fire sale of three key players including Adam Treloar.
Macrae, 22, is contracted until the end of 2025 but after only eight games this season – and 20 across four – is craving more AFL game time.
He hasn’t played a senior game since round 14, but his VFL form in that time has been strong.
Magpies coach Craig McRae said last week he spoke with Macrae as much as any other player on the list, working on ways to potentially get him back into the AFL side.
McInnes, 20, has returned to defence in Collingwood’s VFL side in recent weeks in an effort to win a senior recall. He too has played 20 games in the senior side.
He is out of contract but has already attracted the attention of a handful of clubs.
The Magpies took five players in that 2020 national draft, with Beau McCreery, Macrae and McInnes the sole survivors at the club.
Ollie Henry is now at Geelong, Caleb Poulter is with the Bulldogs and Liam McMahon was delisted but is now playing with Carlton’s VFL side.
JJ KEEN TO GO ROUND AGAIN
Norm Smith Medallist Jason Johannisen has targeted the first week of VFL finals for his comeback from a frustrating calf injury, hoping it can be a launching pad back in senior September calculations.
Johannisen, 31, hasn’t played since the round 9 win over Richmond and faces a race against time to prove his fitness for the finals as he looks to extend his time at the club into a 14th season.
He is out of contract at the end of this season, but does not yet have a contract offer on the table. He is understood to be keen to play on.
Johannisen has ramped up his training in recent weeks and is aiming to make a late push for the AFL finals if the Bulldogs push deep into September.
That first weekend of VFL finals will coincide with the AFL’s pre-finals bye, and with the strong Footscray VFL side currently second on the ladder, it could yet give him a platform back into the AFL side if things fall into place.
Johannisen, who famously won the 2016 best afield honours in the Bulldogs’ first premiership success in 62 years, has played only 28 games in the past three seasons due to a series of calf and hamstring issues, including nine games in 2024.
FRINGE STAY CONSIDERING TRADE REQUEST
Western Bulldog Jack Macrae will consider seeking a new home next season if his senior opportunities are limited at the kennel.
Macrae, 30, has attracted interest from rivals despite being dumped again to the VFL team at the weekend where he had 37 disposals, 17 clearances and two goals for Footscray.
The three-time All-Australian remains contracted until 2027 on a lucrative deal which may have to be revised if he moves to a new club in the trade period.
While he remains confident of being able to play at the top level, coach Luke Beveridge has brought in more run and leg speed in favour of Macrae and Caleb Daniel at times this year.
It means Macrae will decide his future after talks with Beveridge at season’s end about his likely senior prospects for next year.
He has averaged 19 touches a game in the AFL this year across 16 matches.
Rival clubs are expected to zero in on Macrae after the Bulldogs’ campaign ends with Geelong set to snare Bailey Smith.
But the Cats may not be considered by Macrae as the midfielder is believed to be keen to remain in Melbourne in 2025 due to family commitments.
It means the ball magnet is unlikely to entertain interest from interstate clubs as his family is settled in Melbourne.
The preference limits his trade options, with the Dogs unlikely to want to have highly-paid senior premiership stars Macrae and Daniel in the VFL team next year considering their salaries.
CARLTON CIRCLING ‘MISSING PIECE’ OF BACKLINE
Carlton is expected to strongly consider adding GWS Giants’ defender Nick Haynes to help fix the Blues’ defensive frailties for next season.
And St Kilda could also come into the frame if it loses free agent Josh Battle to Hawthorn.
While the Saints remain confident of keeping Battle on a five-year deal, the gun defender is yet to put pen to paper.
Haynes, 32, is tipped to leave the Giants at season’s end for more opportunities back home in Victoria in 2025. And he would only be expected to cost a late draft pick in a trade and a moderate salary after coming off his bumper back-ended deal including a seven-figure salary this year.
The Blues have struggled in defence this year and are looking at ways to beef-up their back line and ability to restrict the opposition for 2025.
Haynes has been one of the game’s best intercepting backmen over his career and could provide a smart rebounding option for Carlton as the club attempts to stay in the premiership mix. He has struggled to break into the senior team at GWS this year, playing seven games this season.
Originally published as Moneyball: Jye Caldwell signs new Essendon deal, clubs chase fringe Pies Reef McInness and Finlay Macrae
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